The Elder Scrolls 6 Should Draw Inspiration from Atomfall’s Narrative

In the wake of Skyrim’s release, a myriad of RPGs have emerged, each leaving its own indelible mark on the gaming world. Among these, The Witcher 3 stands out for its intricate, branching storylines, while Baldur’s Gate 3 has elevated character depth to masterful heights. However, a recent entrant, Atomfall, has caught attention, drawing intriguing comparisons to Bethesda’s renowned titles.

Atomfall, a notable double-A game, has captivated players by seamlessly weaving stealth, survival, and social elements into an engrossing tapestry of intrigue. The game excels in exploring the complex motivations of its characters, engaging gamers in a level of interactivity that many hope to see expanded in The Elder Scrolls 6.

One key aspect that makes Atomfall stand out is the sheer variety it brings to a single interaction. In one scenario, a non-playable character (NPC) might share valuable insights if they believe it’s worth their time, while the same character might mislead another player. Trust becomes a two-way street, and wrong dialogue choices can result in the player being shut off from certain information sources, nudging them to seek answers elsewhere. Atomfall builds its narrative around these choices, highlighting the importance of keen observation and adaptability. Though the game’s world is compact, it’s these dynamic interactions that provide depth and replayability—qualities The Elder Scrolls series could benefit from embracing more wholeheartedly.

Fans have often critiqued Skyrim for its reduction of player choice compared to Morrowind. For instance, although Skyrim’s civil war storyline allowed players to choose sides, the ultimate outcome remained largely unchanged. On the other hand, Morrowind offered players a canvas rich with personal dramas and political machinations, rewarding thoughtful decision-making and punishing missteps.

Similar criticism has been directed at Fallout 4, where some argue that its cinematic narrative approach came at the expense of meaningful role-playing choices. Too often, players faced dialog options that provided different ways of saying “yes,” but offered little real choice.

Still, it’s Atomfall’s approach to open-ended gameplay that is particularly compelling. It trusts players to navigate obstacles, face failures, and enrich their stories through diverse outcomes, a strategy that could beautifully enhance The Elder Scrolls 6’s narrative experience if implemented by a resource-rich studio like Bethesda. Imagine a Skyrim civil war scenario where political dynamics are driven by player actions—entire cities might turn against a player for strategic missteps, or a province could descend into chaos at their whim.

There’s a palpable shift in the RPG space towards less guided, more organic gameplay. The success of games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance proves a significant audience craves this level of freedom, and smaller titles such as Atomfall demonstrate that these elements can be successfully integrated into bigger, Bethesda-style games. While the release date for The Elder Scrolls 6 remains a mystery, there’s plenty of room for the game to make a bold statement and defy expectations.